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Many years ago, my business partner and I purchased a ml rifle from the US. It was reported to be a Marston, Toronto flintlock halfstock hunting rifle. Canadian made flintlock rifles are essentially unknown. It was not inexpensive. This was long before things like instant internet photos. The snapshots we received simply did not show detail. The rifle was a Marston, alright, but it had been fitted with a "Maslin" reproduction flintlock. The seller really did not know that the lock was modern, and had replaced the original percussion lock. He took the rifle back, and refunded our money; we were out the shipping, of course.
When established dealers use terms like "100% original", or in "excellent condition", and these terms are obviously and foolishly incorrect, the only conclusion is that the dealers' ethics are questionable.
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The worst case I personally saw was a buddy who bought an "excellent condition 1941 Longbranch No.4Mk1, not a refub" and paid a premium price at the time ($500 was ALOT to pay for a Longbranch 6 or 7 years ago).
What arrived was a suncorited Brit refurb of a No.4mk1, clearly marked (F)FTR. No early parts remaining. Only the receiver and a few small bits like the safety were original to the gun. Furhtermore it had been re-issued and was pretty beat.
This dealer with a long time online presence was from western Canada and their name starts with an "M". No, I don't mean Marstar. ;) They've also been known to try and charge $20 (non refundable) for the privilege of seeing pics of the rifles they have for sale.
The dealer should have (and likely did) know better.
Another bugaboo is the dealers that will stamp already expensive rifles with SS markings, capture WaA's, C-broadarrows, etc. to increase the value. Those greedy dealers are well into the realm of questionable ethics.
IMHO an honest mistake is forgiveable. An example would be a dealer selling a K98k as original, but a knowledgeable buyer then finding out it is an east German re-issue that's been reblued or marked with the VoPo sunburst. Not all dealers are experts, they make mistakes too. In such cases, an ethical dealer will take the rifle back (if the buyer so wishes) and properly list it accordingly. You get the idea.
In the case of this sniper rifle, I think the dealer knows exactly what they have and I think it is priced optimistically. None of that is questionable, but on a piece that expensive, rather than relying on buyers to ask the right questions and wait forever for thsoe answers, the dealer SHOULD post a short blurb about the rifle which answers FAQ's about it and divulges any known issues. Sadly, I think they are big and busy enough that they'll never get around to it.
FWIW, I've had nothing but positive experiences buying things from Marstar, but like all dealers they too have their chances to make gaffs.
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FWIW, I've found Marstar's QC to be very much like Norinco's QC.
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I concur. They can be very nasty too, when you disagree with them.
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If anyone gets a chance to handle this piece, or obtains more detailed photos, here's the same rifle to compare to in our on-line MKL.
1916 Swedish m/41 Sniper Rifle c/w AGA 3x65 m/44 Scope (click here) entry in the Swedish section (click here) of the Milsurp Knowledge Library.
Regards,
Badger
